U.S. patent application number 15/070159 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-29 for steerable roller hemming head.
The applicant listed for this patent is HIROTEC AMERICA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gerald F. Erker, Justin T. Hester, Gary T. Krus.
Application Number | 20160279691 15/070159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56976266 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160279691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erker; Gerald F. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2016 |
STEERABLE ROLLER HEMMING HEAD
Abstract
A steering roller head for hemming or seaming metal sheets
includes a mounting flange that couples to an arm of a robot. The
mounting flange is offset from a longitudinal axis of the steering
roller head to reduce an operating envelope of the robot arm during
a roller hemming process. The mounting flange can also be offset by
a mounting angle from the longitudinal axis which allows for a
further reduction in an operating envelope of the robot arm during
a roller hemming process. Reducing the operating envelope of the
robot arm can allow for additional robots or automated tooling to
access the work piece during a roller hemming process. In addition,
reducing the operating envelope of the robot arm allows for
improved access to the work piece during a roller hemming
process.
Inventors: |
Erker; Gerald F.;
(Clarkston, MI) ; Hester; Justin T.; (Clarkston,
MI) ; Krus; Gary T.; (Oakland Township, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HIROTEC AMERICA, Inc. |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56976266 |
Appl. No.: |
15/070159 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62136668 |
Mar 23, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 19/043 20130101;
B21D 39/023 20130101; Y10S 901/41 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B21D 19/04 20060101
B21D019/04 |
Claims
1. A steering roller head comprising: a housing defining a
longitudinal axis of the steering roller head; a motor mounted
within the housing and including a drive shaft; and a roller
package operably associated with the motor, wherein rotation of the
drive shaft affects rotation of the roller package about the
longitudinal axis of the steering roller head.
2. The steering roller head according to claim 1, further
comprising a mounting flange operably coupled to the housing, the
mounting flange offset from the longitudinal axis.
3. The steering roller head according to claim 2, wherein the
mounting flange includes a mounting surface that defines a mounting
plane, the mounting plane defining a mounting angle with the
longitudinal axis.
4. The steering roller head according to claim 3, wherein the
mounting angle is in a range of about 30.degree. to about
60.degree..
5. The steering roller head according to claim 2, wherein the
mounting flange is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis.
6. The steering roller head according to claim 2, further
comprising a biasing unit, the mounting flange attached to the
biasing unit and the basing unit attached to the housing.
7. The steering roller head according to claim 6, wherein the
steering roller head has a push configuration wherein the biasing
unit urges the roller package in a direction away from the housing
along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the steering roller head
has a pull configuration wherein the biasing unit urges the roller
package toward the housing along the longitudinal axis.
8. The steering roller head according to claim 7, wherein the
biasing unit includes longitudinal guides and a slidable insert
that houses longitudinal guides, the insert is disposed between a
top plate and a base plate of the housing.
9. The steering roller head according to claim 8, wherein the
biasing unit includes a stop surface that abuts the top plate to
arrest movement of the biasing unit parallel to the longitudinal
axis in the push configuration.
10. The steering roller head according to claim 8, wherein the
biasing unit includes a stop surface that abuts the base plate to
arrest movement of the biasing unit parallel to the longitudinal
axis in the pull configuration.
11. The steering roller head according to claim 8, wherein the
biasing unit includes springs, wherein in the push configuration
the insert is orientated to position the springs between the insert
and the base plate, and wherein in the pull configuration the
insert orientated to position the springs between the insert and
the top plate.
12. The steering roller head according to claim 8, wherein the
insert defines holes that receive springs, the insert being
reversible to change the configuration of steering roller head.
13. The steering roller head according to claim 1, further
comprising a gearbox secured to the housing, the gearbox receiving
input from the drive shaft of the motor and including an output
shaft rotatably fixed to the roller package.
14. The steering roller head according to claim 13, wherein the
gearbox is configured to resist axial and transverse forces
experienced by the roller package during roller hemming.
15. A robot for roller hemming, the robot comprising: a base; an
arm including a first link and a second link, the first link
operably coupled to the base and the second link operably
associated with the first link, the second link including a tool
coupler; and a steering roller head coupled to the tool coupler,
the steering roller head including: a housing defining a
longitudinal axis of the steering roller head; a motor mounted
within the housing and including a drive shaft; and a roller
package operably associated with the motor, wherein rotation of the
drive shaft affects rotation of the roller package about the
longitudinal axis of the steering roller head.
16. The robot according to claim 15, wherein the arm is configured
to move the steering roller head in six degrees of freedom, and
wherein the motor is configured to rotate the roller package in a
seventh degree of freedom.
17. The robot according to claim 15, further comprising a robot
controller configured to control movement of the arm, and wherein
the motor includes a motor controller configured to control
rotation of the roller package relative to the housing.
18. The robot according to claim 17, wherein the motor controller
is integrated with the robot controller.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/136,668, filed Mar. 23, 2015, the entire
contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to robotic roller hemming and
seaming, and more specifically, to steerable roller hemming heads
for robotic roller hemming.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] A roller hemming process can be used to join two metal
sheets together to form a work piece. For example, two metal sheets
can be joined to form a door panel or the like for an automobile.
During a typical roller hemming process, a peripheral edge of an
outer sheet of the two metal sheets is vertically bent along the
entire circumference thereof and then the outer sheet is fixed to a
mold. Then, an inner sheet is stacked on the outer sheet. With the
two sheets stacked on top of one another, the two sheets are joined
by pressing a roller head against the peripheral edge of the outer
sheet to fold or hem the two sheets together. The roller head can
be attached to an arm of a robot that moves the roller head about
the work piece to hem the sheets together. The processing quality
or the shape of a bent work piece depends on the positional
accuracy of the robot manipulator, since the roller is moved by the
robot.
[0006] While the arm of the robot is moving the roller head about
the work piece within an operating envelope, other robots or
automated tooling may be interacting or performing processes on the
work piece (e.g., roller hemming, roller flanging, pre-hemming,
pre-corner hemming, welding, drilling, milling, riveting, applying
fasteners, etc.). The size of the operating envelope restricts
access to the work piece to avoid interference between the robots
and automated tooling.
[0007] There is a continuing need for improved roller heads that
increase the quality and/or speed of the roller hemming process. In
addition, there is a continuing need for improved roller heads that
reduce the size of the operating envelope to allow additional
robots to access a work piece during the roller hemming
process.
SUMMARY
[0008] This disclosure relates generally to a steering roller head
for hemming or seaming metal sheets. The steering roller head
includes a mounting flange that couples to an arm of a robot. The
mounting flange is offset from a longitudinal axis of the steering
roller head which reduces an operating envelope the robot arm
during a roller hemming process. The mounting flange can also be
offset by a mounting angle from the longitudinal axis which allows
for a further reduction in an operating envelope of the robot arm
during a roller hemming process. Reducing the operating envelope of
the robot arm can allow for additional robots to access the work
piece during a roller hemming process. In addition, reducing the
operating envelope of the robot arm allows for improved access to
the work piece during a roller hemming process.
[0009] In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a
steering roller head includes a housing, a motor, and a roller
package. The housing defines a longitudinal axis of the steering
roller head. The motor is mounted within the housing and includes a
drive shaft. The roller package is operably associated with the
motor such that rotation of the drive shaft affects rotation of the
roller package about the longitudinal axis of the steering roller
head.
[0010] In aspects, the steering roller head includes a mounting
flange that is operably coupled to the housing. The mounting flange
can be offset from the longitudinal axis. The mounting flange can
include a mounting surface that defines a mounting plane. The
mounting plane can define a mounting angle with the longitudinal
axis. The mounting angle can be in a range of about 30.degree. to
about 60.degree.. The mounting flange can be laterally offset from
the longitudinal axis.
[0011] In some aspects, the steering roller head includes a biasing
unit. The mounting flange can be attached to the biasing unit and
the biasing unit can be attached to the housing to operably couple
the mounting flange to the housing. The steering roller head can
have a push configuration in which the biasing unit urges the
roller package in a direction away from the housing along the
longitudinal axis. The steering roller head can have a pull
configuration in which the biasing unit urges the roller package in
a direction towards the housing along the longitudinal axis.
[0012] In certain aspects, the biasing unit includes longitudinal
guides and a slidable insert that houses the longitudinal guides.
The insert is disposed between the top and the base plates of the
housing. The biasing unit can include a stop surface that abuts the
top plate to arrest movement of the biasing unit parallel to the
longitudinal axis in the push configuration and that abuts the base
plate to arrest movement of the biasing unit parallel to the
longitudinal axis in the pull configuration. The biasing unit can
include springs. In the push configuration, the insert can be
orientated to position the springs between the insert and the base
plate. In the pull configuration, the insert can be orientated to
position the springs between the insert and the top plate. The
insert can define holes that receive the springs and can be
reversible to change the configuration of the steering roller
head.
[0013] In particular aspects, the steering roller head includes a
gearbox that is secured to the housing. The gearbox can receive
input from the drive shaft of the motor and include an output shaft
that is rotatably fixed to the roller package. The gearbox can be
configured to resist axial and transverse forces experienced by the
roller package during roller hemming.
[0014] In aspects, the housing provides mounting for the guide
shafts, the gearbox, homing guide, and a motor guard. The motor
guard can mount to the top plate of the housing. The motor guard
can provide strain relief for cables interconnecting the motor and
a controller.
[0015] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a robot for
roller hemming includes a base, an arm, and a steering roller head.
The arm includes first and second links. The first link is operably
coupled to the base and the second link is operably associated with
the first link. The second link includes a tool coupler. The
steering roller head is coupled to the tool coupler and includes a
housing, a motor, and a roller package. The housing defines a
longitudinal axis of the steering roller head. The motor is mounted
within the housing and includes a drive shaft. The roller package
is operably associated with the motor. Rotation of the drive shaft
rotates the roller package about the longitudinal axis of the
steering roller head.
[0016] In aspects, the robot is a multi-axis robot including a
plurality of articulating joints with the final joint being the
tool coupler.
[0017] In some aspects, the arm is configured to move the steering
roller head in six degrees of freedom. The motor may be configured
to rotate the roller package in a seventh degree of freedom. The
robot may include a robot controller that is configured to control
movement of the arm and the motor may include a motor controller
that is configured to control rotation of the roller package
relative to the housing. The motor controller can be integrated
with the robot controller.
[0018] Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects
described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the
other aspects described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are incorporated
in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art roller head
coupled to an arm of a robot;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a steering roller head in
accordance with the present disclosure coupled to the arm of the
robot of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the steering roller head of
FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view, with parts separated, of the
steering roller head of FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view of the steering roller head of FIG. 3
in a push configuration;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section
line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side view of the steering roller head of FIG. 3
in a pull configuration; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section
line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art roller head 1000 is
shown coupled to a robot arm 10. As shown the robot arm 10 includes
a robot base 12 and three links 14, 16, and 18 that are moveable
about six axis of rotation. The first link 14 is attached to the
robot base 12 that can be fixed or moveable. The third link 18
supports a tool coupler 20 that couples to the roller head 1000.
The second link 16 is pivotally coupled on a first end 16a to the
first link 14 and at a second end 16b to the third link 18. The
third link 18 defines an arm axis A-A that passes through the
second end 16b of the second link 16 and through the tool coupler
20.
[0029] The roller head 1000 includes a housing 1010 and a roller
1020. The housing 1010 includes a first end 1012 that releasably
couples to the tool coupler 20 and a second end 1014 that includes
a roller mount 1016 which rotatably supports the roller 1020. The
housing 1010 defines an axis H'-H' that passes through the first
and second ends 1012, 1014. The roller mount 1016 supports the
roller 1020 such that the roller 1020 rotates about an axis R-R
that is orthogonal to the axis H'-H'.
[0030] By aligning the axis H'-H' of the housing 1010 with the axis
A-A of the third link 18 of the robot arm 10, rotation of the third
link 18 about the axis A-A rotates the housing 1010 and the roller
1020 about the axis H'-H'. This alignment requires the third link
18 of the robot arm 10 to be positioned over the first end 1012 of
the housing 1010 which increases the clearance required over the
work piece during a roller hemming process. This clearance defines
an operating envelope of the robot arm 10 during a roller hemming
process which limits access of other robots to a work piece WP
during a roller hemming process.
[0031] As detailed herein, a steering roller head in accordance
with the present disclosure includes a mounting flange that is
laterally offset from a longitudinal axis of the steering roller
head. In addition, the mounting flange can define a mounting plane
that is offset from the longitudinal axis by a mounting angle.
Offsetting the mounting flange from the longitudinal axis reduces a
height and length of an operating envelope of a robot arm that
manipulates the steering roller head during a roller hemming
process.
[0032] During a roller hemming process, a motor of the steering
roller head rotates a roller package about the longitudinal axis of
the steering roller head as the robot arm moves the steering roller
head about a work piece. The motor allows for increased control of
the steering roller head and reduces movement of the robot arm
required to track seams of the work piece when compared to the
prior art roller head 1000.
[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in
detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of
the several views.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a steering roller head 100 in
accordance with the present disclosure is coupled to the tool
coupler 20 of the robot arm 10. The steering roller head 100
includes a mounting flange 110, a compliant or biasing unit 120, a
housing 130, a motor 150, and a roller package 160. The housing 130
defines a longitudinal or housing axis H-H of the steering roller
head 100 that passes through the roller package 160 and the motor
150. The housing includes a top plate 132, a base plate 134, side
plates 138, and guide shafts 126a.
[0035] With particular reference to FIG. 2, the mounting flange 110
includes a mounting surface 112. The tool coupler 20 of the robot
arm 10 is releasably coupled to the mounting surface 112 with the
mounting flange 110 attached to the biasing unit 120. The mounting
flange 110 is positioned adjacent the base plate 134 of the housing
130 and is offset from the housing axis H-H such that the robot arm
10 extends from a side of the steering roller head 100.
[0036] With particular reference referring to FIG. 5, the mounting
surface 112 of mounting flange 110 defines a mounting plane P that
defines a mounting angle .theta. with the housing axis H-H. As
shown, the mounting angle .theta. is defined in a vertical plane
with the housing axis H-H such that the tool coupler 20 (FIG. 2) of
the robot arm 10 can be positioned above, below, or at the base
plate 134 of the housing 130. It is contemplated that the mounting
angle .theta. can be defined in a horizontal plane with the housing
axis H-H such that the tool coupler 20 of the robot arm 10 can be
in front of or behind the steering roller head 100. It is also
contemplated that the mounting plane P can be defined in a vertical
and horizontal plane such that the tool coupler 20 can be
positioned above and in front of or below and behind the steering
roller head 100 or a different combination of above, below, in
front, or behind depending on the desired application. As shown,
the mounting angle .theta. is about 45.degree. in a vertical plane;
however, it is contemplated that the mounting angle may be in a
range of about 0.degree. to about 90.degree. in each of a vertical
or a horizontal plane.
[0037] Referring briefly back to FIGS. 1 and 2, offsetting the
mounting flange 110 from the housing axis H-H and defining the
mounting angle .theta. between the mounting plane P and the housing
axis H-H reduces a vertical height H of the robot arm 10 and the
rolling head 100 above the work piece WP when compared to a
vertical height H' of the robot arm 10 and the prior art roller
head 1000 above the work piece WP. The reduction in height reduces
an operating envelope or clearance defined by the robot arm 10 when
manipulating the steering roller head 100 compared to an operating
envelope defined by the robot arm 10 when manipulating the prior
art roller head 1000 during a roller hemming process. Reducing an
operating envelope of the robot arm 10 allows for higher density
robot placement. The reduction in height can be in a range of about
40% to about 60% (e.g., about 50%).
[0038] It will be appreciated that offsetting the mounting flange
110 from the housing axis H-H no longer allows rotation of the
third link 18 about the arm axis A-A to rotate the steering roller
head 100 about the housing axis H-H to track seams of a work piece
during a roller hemming process in a similar manner to the prior
art roller head 1000.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to allow the steering
roller head 100 to track the seams of a work piece during a roller
hemming process, the steering roller head 100 includes the motor
150 which is operably associated with the roller package 160 of the
steering roller head 100 to rotate the roller package 160 about the
housing axis H-H to track seams of a work piece during a roller
hemming process. The motor 150 allows the robot arm 10 (FIG. 2) to
maintain the orientation of the steering roller head 100 relative
to the work piece while the motor 150 rotates the roller package
160 about the housing axis H-H as the robot arm 10 moves along
seams of the work piece.
[0040] The motor 150 includes a controller 152 (FIG. 2) and a drive
shaft 154. The motor 150 is positioned between the side plates 138
and is mounted to an upper surface 134a of the base plate 134 of
the housing 130. The top plate 132 of the housing 130 is secured to
the side plates 138 and may include a guard 133 that protects motor
150 from accidental contact with obstructions (e.g., other robot
arms or work pieces) during a roller hemming process. The guard 133
can also function as an arrest or guide for cables 153 (FIG. 2)
that interconnect the motor to the controller 152. The guard 133
can provide strain relieve for the cables 153.
[0041] The controller 152 is a motion control device that controls
the motor 150 such that the roller package 160 is rotated about the
housing axis H-H as the steering roller head 100 is moved about a
work piece. The controller 152 can be part of a robot controller 11
of the robot arm 10 or the controller can be a standalone device as
represented by controller 152' which is interconnected with the
robot controller 11 in
[0042] FIG. 2. It is envisioned that costs can be reduced by
integrating the controller 152 into the robot controller 11. For
example, the robot arm 10 may be moveable in six degrees-of-freedom
(DOF), one degree for each axis of movement, and the motor 150 can
control rotation of the roller package 160 in a seventh DOF (e.g.,
robot controller 11). In addition, integrating the controller 152
into the robot controller 11 can allow the robot arm 10 and the
steering roller head 100 to function in a coordinated fashion.
Further, the integration of the controller 152 into the robot
controller 11 can allow for quicker cycle times of the robot arm
10, reduced interference with other robots, and improved
communication, or handshakes, with other robots.
[0043] The steering roller head 100 can include a gearbox 156 that
converts rotation of the drive shaft 154 into rotation of the of
the roller package 160. The gear box 156 receives input from the
drive shaft 154 and converts rotation of the drive shaft 154 into
output via an output shaft 158. The output shaft 158 is rotatably
fixed to the roller mounting plate 136. A mounting shaft 159
extends out from the roller mounting plate 136 along a longitudinal
axis away from the housing 130. The mounting shaft 159 attaches the
roller package 160 such that rotation of the output shaft 158
rotates the roller package 160 about the housing axis H-H. It is
envisioned that the gear box 156 increases torque while decreasing
angular velocity of input from the drive shaft 154 to rotation of
the output shaft 158.
[0044] The gear box 156 can include a bearing package (not
explicitly shown) that resists axial loads (i.e., loads along the
housing axis H-H) and/or transverse loads (i.e., loads
perpendicular to the housing axis H-H) experienced by the roller
package 160 during a roller hemming process. It is contemplated
that the bearing package can be located within the gear box 156,
between the gear box 156 and the motor 150, and/or between the gear
box 156 and the roller package 160.
[0045] As shown, the drive shaft 154 is disposed about the housing
axis H-H. It is contemplated that when the steering roller head 100
includes the gearbox 156, the drive shaft 154 of the motor 150 can
be offset from the housing axis H-H. For example, the drive shaft
154 can be coupled to a pinion within a gearbox (e.g., gearbox 156)
that engages an inner surface of a ring gear that is rotatably
fixed to the output shaft 158 disposed about the housing axis H-H
to rotate the roller package 160 about the housing axis H-H.
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the roller package 160
includes a body 162, a first hemming head 164, and a second hemming
head 166. The body 162 defines a channel 161 that receives the
mounting shaft 159. The body 162 includes one or more connectors
163 that pass into the mounting shaft 159 to secure the body 162 to
the mounting shaft 159. An adaptor 165 can be used as a
transitional fit between the mounting shaft 159 and the channel 161
of the body 162. The first and second hemming heads 164, 166 are
disposed at an end of the body 162 opposite the channel 161. The
first hemming head 164 is rotatable about an axis R-R that is
orthogonal to the housing axis H-H and the second hemming head
defines an axis T-T that is orthogonal to the housing axis H-H and
perpendicular to axis R-R. The first hemming head 164 includes
first and second rollers 164a, 164b disposed on either side of the
body 162 with the second hemming head 166 extending between the
first and second rollers 164a, 164b. It is envisioned that the
first hemming head 164 can include a single roller (e.g., first
roller 164a).
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, the steering roller head 100 can
be configured as a push roller head (FIGS. 5 and 6) or a pull
roller head (FIGS. 7 and 8). As detailed above, the biasing unit
120 is laterally positioned between the mounting flange 110 and the
housing 130. The biasing unit 120 is vertically disposed between
the top plate 132 and base plate 134. The biasing unit 120 includes
an insert 127 that has a top stopping surface 127a and a bottom
stopping surface 127b that arrest travel of the housing 130
parallel to the longitudinal axis H-H. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6
when the steering roller head is in the push configuration the top
stopping surface 127a of the insert 127 abuts the bottom surface
132a of the top plate 132 to arrest travel of the housing. The
bottom stopping surface 127b arrests the housing 130 in the
direction of travel or compliance of the roller head 100 during the
compression of the housing 130 during roller hemming. When in a
free state (no compression of the roller head) the top stopping
surface 127a of the insert 127 is in contact with the bottom
surface 132a of the top plate 132 as well as the bottom stopping
surface 127b of the insert 127 is disposed with a gap to the top
surface 134a of the base plate 134. The insert 127 defines passages
123 that are parallel to the housing axis H-H. The biasing unit 120
includes linear bushings 126b which are disposed within the
passages 123 to limit translation of the insert 127 to sliding
translation to parallel with the housing axis H-H. The guide shafts
126a can be supported by the top plate 132 and base plate 134. The
guide shafts 126a and linear bushings 126b provide for translation
of the housing 130 along the housing axis H-H.
[0048] The insert 127 also defines one or more holes 129 parallel
to the housing axis H-H. The biasing unit 120 includes a spring 128
disposed within each of the holes 129 which bias the housing 130
parallel to the housing axis H-H. The base plate 134 defines
corresponding holes 129a that receive the springs 128. In the push
configuration, the roller (e.g., roller 164 or roller 166) is
positioned between the base plate 134 and the work piece such that
the roller is biased towards the housing 130.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the steering roller head 100
is in a pull configuration such that the steering roller head 100
is configured as a pull roller head. The biasing unit 120 made up
of the insert 127, guide shafts 126a, linear bushings 126b, and
springs 128 is inverted within the housing 130 as a combined
assembly to convert the steering roller head 100 from the push
configuration to the pull configuration. In the pull configuration,
the top stopping surface 127a of the insert 127 has a gap to the
bottom surface 132a of the top plate 132. The top stopping surface
127a arrests the housing 130 in the direction of travel or
compliance (opposite that of the push configuration) of the roller
head 100 during the extension of the housing away from the mounting
flange 110 during roller hemming. The bottom stopping surface 127b
of the insert 127 abuts the top surface 134a of the base plate 134
to arrest travel of the housing. When in the free state (no
compression of the roller head) the bottom stopping surface 127b of
the insert 127 is in contact with the top surface 134a of the base
plate 134. The guide shafts 126a and linear bushings 126b are
orientated the same as in the push head configuration within the
insert 127. The complete biasing unit 120 with guide shafts 126a,
linear bushings 126b, and springs 128 are assembled inverted to
that of the pull roller head. With the insert 127 in the inverted
orientation the springs 128 are disposed into the holes 129b in the
top plate 132. In the pull configuration, the roller (e.g., roller
164 or roller 166) is positioned between the base plate 134 and the
work piece such that the roller is biased away from the housing
130.
[0050] It is contemplated that the steering roller head 100 can be
converted from the push configuration to the pull configuration, or
vice versa, by disassembling the biasing unit 120, rotating the
insert 127, with the springs 128, and the guide shafts 126a and
reassembling the biasing unit 120 between the top and base plates
132 and 134.
[0051] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown
in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is
within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above
description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will envision other modifications within the scope of the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *